Flight: MH1138 Kuala Lumpur - Penang 08.30 - 09.25

Meet & greet: Upon arrival in Penang, you will be welcomed to Malaysia by your private English-speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel.

Afternoon at leisure: After checking in, you have some time at leisure to relax at your hotel, or to explore Penang further. Stroll around the capital, Georgetown, and soak in the multicultural atmosphere and historical charm, or venture out to some of the beaches, fishing villages and forest-covered hills that cover the island. Penang has long been considered as one of Asia's food capitals, so don't miss the opportunity to sample what's on offer!

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Edison Georgetown (Deluxe Room)

Morning pedicab tour of Georgetown: After breakfast, start your guided half-day tour of Georgetown. Highlights include a walk around one of the oldest Malay markets in Georgetown and a pedicab ride through Little India and historic Georgetown. After your morning tour the rest of the afternoon will be free at leisure for you to relax and continue exploring at your own pace.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Edison Georgetown (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Self-drive journey from Penang to the Cameron Highlands: This morning your hired car will be delivered to your hotel and you will be supplied with clear directions and a road map to make your own way on good quality Malaysian roads to the Cameron Highlands. En route it is suggested that you stop at the famous Cave Temple, the Ubudiah Mosque, a magnificent building with a golden dome, and the former palace of the Sultan of Perak with its intricate woodcarvings. Depending on stops and how fast you drive, this is a journey of approximately 4 hours.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Lakehouse (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Suggested self-guided excursion in the Cameron Highlands: Today you are at leisure to explore the Cameron Highlands independently. The Highlands are sprinkled with Tea Plantations and it is recommended that you visit some of these today, where you can learn how the tea leaves are processed. You will also have plenty of opportunity to view the wonderful undulating hills. Another great place to visit is the nearby Rose Garden & Butterfly Farm. Your hotel will be able to assist you with directions and information about all of the activities on offer, including golf and visiting the local market.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Lakehouse (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Self-drive journey from the Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur: After breakfast, set off for Kuala Lumpur in your hire car. It is suggested that you take a rest stop at the town of Tapah, where you will be able to taste some local fruits, including the ‘king of fruits' - durian, if in season. On arrival, settle in to your hotel and enjoy the vibrant buzz of Malaysia's capital city. Depending on stops and how fast you drive, this is a journey of approximately 4 hours. On arrival in Kuala Lumpur, drop off your hire car at the hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel Stripes (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning orientation tour of Kuala Lumpur: This morning, you will be taken for an orientation tour of the city covering the major historical landmarks - King`s Palace, National Monument, National Mosque and Merdeka (Independence) Square. Much of the history of the city is depicted here as well as the tradition and cultural heritage of the major communities. Included in this tour is an opportunity to enjoy the panoramic view of the city from the observation deck of the KL Tower.

Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon, you have some time free to explore the Malaysian capital independently. KL is a large city, but easy to navigate. The public transport system is extensive and easy-to-use, and English-speakers are always at hand. As with any large, modern capital city there is a wealth of activities, excursions, shopping opportunities, and dining options at hand. Your hotel and guide will be able to suggest a number of good ideas.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel Stripes (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: After breakfast, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Sandakan in Malaysian Borneo.

Flight: MH2710 Kuala Lumpur - Sandakan 10.35 - 13.20

Shared road journey from Sandakan to Sepilok: Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Sepilok.

Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon you are free at leisure to relax. You may want to pay a visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre. Here there is an impressive information centre and excellent canopy walkway. At dusk there is a very good chance of viewing the Borneo Giant Flying Squirrel gliding from tree to tree. Entrance is a nominal MYR10 per person, and your lodge can help to organise transport.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the MY Nature Resort Sepilok (Chalet Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre & Sun Bear Centre: This morning you will visit one of only four Orangutan sanctuaries in the world. Founded in 1964 the Centre helps once captive Orangutans learn to climb and fend for themselves in the wild with the hope that one day they may return to the forest. To start the tour there is a short film shown at the information centre giving some background on the history of the project, and the day to day work being carried out. Then proceed on foot along raised boardwalks through the rainforest to a series of platforms where milk and bananas are provided twice a day to the semi-wild Orangutans who are in the process of returning to the forest. There is an excellent chance that Orangutans and several species of monkeys will arrive in numbers, which is a spectacular sight and provides the opportunity to photograph these amazing creatures at close range.

After seeing the Orangutans, you will visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), located very close to Sepilok’s Orangutan Sanctuary, where there are around 28 rescued bears.  Sun bears are the smallest and least known members of the bear species, and their populations are rapidly diminishing in Southeast Asia. Habitats are being destroyed by deforestation and sun bears are being brutally killed for commercial exploitation. Baby sun bears are one of the cutest young animals in the world, so after their mothers are killed they are captured as pets and are locked in tiny cages. The mission of the BSBCC is to rescue these captured Sun Bears, and promote conservation through animal welfare, conservation, rehabilitation, research and education.

Shared transfer to Sukau: After your visit to see the orangutans & sun bears you will be transferred to the jetty in Sandakan for the boat journey to Sukau. Pass through pristine mangrove forests along the Kinabatangan River delta, with the chance to see proboscis monkeys, birds and reptiles en route.

Afternoon shared river cruise: This afternoon you will be taken on a cruise along the Kinabatangan River in search of the local wildlife which includes orang-utans, macaques, red and silver leaf monkeys, elephants, crocodiles, civet cats, otters and proboscis monkeys. The local bird life includes egret, kingfisher, oriental darter, bee-eater and hornbill.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Kinabatangan River Lodge (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Full day shared wildlife excursions on the Kinabatangan River: After breakfast you will set out on a full day’s discovery of the local area and its wildlife. At 350 miles long, Kinabatangan is Sabah's longest river. In the extensive flood plains around Sukau this meandering river has created several ox-bow lakes, making it an ideal environment for viewing some of the most interesting wildlife and bird life found in Borneo. This sanctuary is one of the two known places in the world to be inhabited by ten species of primates, of which four are endemic to Borneo, and is thought to have the highest concentration of proboscis monkeys and orangutans in Malaysia. Amongst the larger mammals known to inhabit the sanctuary are elephant and rhinoceros, and 200 bird species have been identified including 8 species of hornbill. This afternoon there will be the opportunity to join another wildlife cruise.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Kinabatangan River Lodge (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Shared road journey from Sukau to the Tabin Reserve: After breakfast you will be transferred by road to Lahad Datu. This drive is approximately 2.5 hrs (depend on the traffic/weather condition). Upon arrival at Lahad Datu change vehicles for the overland transfer to Tabin Wildlife Reserve, a journey of approximately 1.5 hrs (depend on the road/weather condition). Arrive in time for lunch at the resort.

Afternoon / evening activities: At around 15.30 this afternoon, visit the Lipad mud volcano which serves as a mineral salt lick for wildlife, a trip which lasts around 3-4 hours.  After trekking through the jungle for twenty minutes, arrive at the elevated bare area of the mud volcano. Try to identify the multitude of animal footprints here. Admire the contrasting landscape of the bare area and its surrounding thick forest where birds are commonly sighted. After dinner, enjoy a slide presentation on Tabin’s uniqueness, followed by a Night Safari at 21.00 hours to look out for nocturnal wildlife and birds (lasting between 1.5 -2 hours).

Please note: that all excursions at the Tabin Wildlife Reserve are operated by expert local guides and all will be on a shared basis with other guests staying at the lodge.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Tabin Wildlife Resort (River Lodge)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Full day wildlife excursions: At 06.30am you may opt to join the 2 hour early morning bird walk to discover some of Tabin’s rich collection of almost 300 bird species. After breakfast at around 09.30am, take a 2 hour trek through the lush green rainforest known for its rich diversity of plants and animal species to visit Lipad Waterfall.  Take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy a natural and refreshing shower under the waterfall. Alternatively explore the surrounding vegetation or simply relax. In the afternoon you may wish to try out the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak made with a natural blend of herbs, to relax tired muscles after long jungle treks. This afternoon there is also a “Dusk Drive” at 16.30 lasting between 1.5 -2 hours.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Tabin Wildlife Resort (River Lodge)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Shared transfer to Lahad Datu Airport: At the appropriate time today, you will be transferred from Tabin to Lahad Datu airport for your onward flight.

Flight: MH3019 Lahad Datu - Kota Kinabalu 16.00 - 16.55

Journey to Gaya Island: On arrival at Kota Kinabalu airport you will be met by staff from your resort on Gaya Island and transferred to Jesselton Point in the city. From Jesselton Point you will take the resort's speedboat to Gaya Island, a journey of just 20 minutes into the South China Sea.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Bunga Raya Island Resort (Superior Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Days at Leisure: These days are at leisure to relax on the beautiful beach and enjoy the facilities at your hotel. Excursions, activities and water sports can be arranged and paid for at hotel reception.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Bunga Raya Island Resort (Superior Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Journey to the airport: At the advised time today, join a speedboat to the mainland, then travel on to the airport in a private car.

Flight: MH2631 Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur 18.50 - 21.15

Flight: MH2 Kuala Lumpur - London Heathrow 23.15 - 05.55 (overnight)

Meals: Breakfast